Why choose Independence of the Seas?

One of the largest cruise ships afloat, the Independence of the seas can comfortably carry close to 5,000 passengers in comfort on cruises around the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and around northern Europe. There are eleven decks of comfortable accommodation, entertainment, indulgence and fabulous food. The scale and selection of on board entertainment such as The Children’s Club, The Video Arcade and The Adventure Ocean Youth Programme makes it perfect for a family holiday. Another big advantage of this British brand is that, until the end of October, all voyages on the ship depart from and return to the UK.

Destinations and Itineraries

The Independence of the Seas will spend the majority of 2013 in Europe, mostly on short cruises. Up until the beginning of June the ship sails around Norway stopping off at the 17th century resort town of Kristiansand and the Norwegian capital Oslo. Its final Northern European voyage of 2013 also calls in at Cork in Ireland, the Norwegian coastal towns of Alesun and Flaam, and the Belgian port of Zeebrugge for visits to the medieval city of Bruges.

The Independence of the Seas spends June onwards on Mediterranean cruises, leaving from Southampton and heading to Spain or Italy. The Italian cruises last for 15 days with 14 nights on board, and venture furthest into the Mediterranean, making calls at Gibraltar, Toulon in France, Livorno in Italy, Cadiz in Southern Spain and Lisbon the Portuguese capital among many others.

The Spanish cruises are of the same duration but have more of an Iberian flavour, visiting Vigo, Lisbon, Valencia, Barcelona, Majorca and Ibiza - calling at Cadiz on the return voyage to Southampton.

With slight variations such as a Canary Islands cruise, these itineraries are alternated until the beginning of November when the Independence of the Seas makes a transatlantic voyage between Southampton and Miami and then tours the islands of the Caribbean until April 2014.

The voyages are dedicated to the eastern or western islands and last between one and two weeks. On eastern islands voyages, passengers start their holiday with a night in a Miami hotel before leaving from Fort Lauderdale to St Maarten and St Kitts in the Leeward Islands, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Labadee in Haiti and a return to Florida. Two days at sea are also part of the cruise. Western Caribbean cruises take in Grand Cayman, Falmouth in Jamaica, Labadee in Haiti and then a return to Fort Lauderdale. A night in a hotel in Miami and two days at sea are also part of the experience.

Cruise ships and facilities

There are 1817 cabins on board the Independence of the Seas, 842 of them with balconies and 242 with ocean views. The interior cabins overlook the Royal Promenade atrium at the heart of the ship. All cabins are of a good size with storage space and twin beds that can be converted to a queen sized double.

Built in 2008, there are plenty of organised activities to take part in, from the golf simulator, climbing wall, basketball court and boxing ring, to the flow rider surf simulator and waterpark with interactive fountains. For the more sedentary who just want to relax, passengers can sit by one of the ship’s three pools, soak themselves in one of its six jacuzzis, or soak up the sun instead on the generous amount of deck space.

As well as the grand main dining room, alternative dining options include the Chops Grille, the Portofino Italian restaurant, or Jade Oriental restaurant. Quick options include grabbing a quick treat at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlour or a mouthful at the cupcake cupboard. Room service is also available.

For evening entertainment the first stop has to be the impressive five-deck Alhambra Theatre, which stages Broadway style productions and comedy, with dancing music cabaret and ice shows presented in Studio B. Also on board is a TV studio, a piano bar, conference centre and the Viking Crown Lounge. However lively or refined you want your evening to be, there’s somewhere on the ship that will suit.

Conclusion There are many advantages to taking a cruise on the Independence of the Seas but the main one has to be the choice that a ship of its size offers. However active or indulgent you want your cruise to be, there is something on board to suit your taste while you tour some of the most exciting and beautiful places on the planet.

Make it a fun-fueled journey to remember onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas.

Onboard

The Independence of the Seas caters for an active crowd who enjoy keeping fit when they’re away. There’s golf, swimming, jogging, ice skating and fitness classes galore and lots of fun new activities to try. If you prefer a slower pace of cruise holiday you can escape to the Solarium, a gorgeous adults only pool and tropical garden complete with hammocks for dozing. The ship is every bit as lively at night with two theatres presenting a mixed programme of Broadway style shows and cabaret. There’s lots of lively bars and lounges, especially around the main promenade area.

Stateroom

The Independence of the Seas provides a huge choice of cabin accommodation, there’s interior cabins, exterior rooms, ocean views, balcony staterooms and a glamorous array of suites available. Of her 1,800 staterooms around half have private balconies. In typical cruise holiday fashion the décor is simple and uses a classic colour palette of clean white with aquamarine highlights and most rooms have twin beds that join to create a comfy queen.

Dining

What you eat and drink during cruise holidays is just as important as the ports you visit and the cuisine onboard Independence of the Seas is nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy five course blowouts in the main dining room, have a home cooked Italian courtesy of Portofini or demolish a slice of pizza poolside from Sorrento’s. Windjammers is a masterclass for other cruise operators on how to do cruise holiday buffets. It’s filled with fresh, mouthwatering hot and cold dishes and has been clearly divided into stations, making it much easier and faster to find what you want.

Balcony Suites

Open your private balcony door and breathe in the sea air and fabulous views. Plus with a Balcony Stateroom you get the first exciting look at each new port of call.

FEATURES ✔ Private balcony ✔ Sitting area with sofa bed* ✔ Two twin beds or one Royal King bed ✔ Luxurious bedding ✔ TV, telephone and safe ✔ Private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hair dryer ✔ Room service available 24 hours a day

Outside Staterooms

Take in the stunning scenery and fabulous sunsets from right outside your window.

FEATURES ✔ View of the ocean ✔ Sitting area ✔ Two twin beds or one Royal King bed ✔ Luxurious bedding ✔ TV, telephone and safe ✔ Private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hair dryer ✔ Room service available 24 hours a day

Interior Staterooms

Comfort and little luxuries are the order of the day in our cosy and affordable Interior Staterooms.

FEATURES✔ Sitting area ✔ Two twin beds or one Royal King bed ✔ Luxurious bedding ✔ TV, telephone, kettle and safe ✔ Private bathroom with shower, vanity area and hair dryer ✔ Room service available

With hotels available to suit every person and every budget look no further than Thomas Cook for your getaway this year!

Cruise Thomas Cook

With some of the best deals on everything from cheap cruises to Luxury Cruises, we pride ourselves on a range that caters to everyone. Whether a first time cruiser looking for a Mini Cruise, a family wanting to browse our Family Cruises or you’re keen to find out more about Cruise and Stay and Fly and Cruise - we’ve got the holiday for you.

Help

Tools

Your financial protection

All flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme but ATOL protection does not apply to the other services offered on this site. We act as an agent for licenced Tour Operators. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, cruises, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see the tour operators booking conditions for further information or go to www.atol.org.uk for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate.